©The Author(s) 2025.
World J Transplant. Dec 18, 2025; 15(4): 108226
Published online Dec 18, 2025. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v15.i4.108226
Published online Dec 18, 2025. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v15.i4.108226
Table 2 Summary of important temporary mechanical circulatory support devices
| Device | Insertion method | Ventricular support | LV unloading | Cardiac output increase (L/min) | Oxygenation | Pump mechanism | Insertion location | Location of device | Cardiac synch | Mandatory anticoagulation | Durability | Ambulation possibility (If yes, not commonly performed) | FDA approval for BTT | Major contraindications | Major adverse events |
| IABP | Percutaneous | Left | Indirect | 0.5 | No | Pneumatic | Femoral or axillary artery | Proximal descending aorta | Yes | No, but recommended | Days | Yes if subclavian approach | No | Significant AI, aortic dissection, PVD | Limb ischemia, bleeding, vessel injury, aortic rupture, thrombocytopenia |
| Impella CP | Percutaneous | Left | Yes | 3-4 | No | Axial | Femoral or axillary artery | Across aortic valve | No | No with BBPS1, but recommended | Approved for ≤ 4 days | Possible with axillary approach | No | Significant PVD, AI, VSD, metallic aortic valve | Limb ischemia, valve injury, hemolysis, bleeding, ventricular arrhythmia |
| Impella 5.5 | Surgical cutdown | Left | Yes | 6 | No | Axial | Axillary artery or directly into aorta | Across aortic valve | No | No with BBPS1, but recommended | Approved for upto 14 days; Often used for days to few weeks | Possible with axillary approach | No | Significant PVD, AI, VSD, metallic aortic valve | Limb ischemia, valve injury, hemolysis, bleeding, ventricular arrhythmia |
| Impella RP | Percutaneous | Right | Yes | 4 | No | Axial | Femoral vein | Pulmonary artery | No | Yes | Approved for upto 14 days. Often used for days to few weeks | Possible with axillary approach | No | Disorders of pulmonary artery wall, mechanical valves, PVD, mural thrombus of right atrium | Bleeding, vascular complication, hemolysis, thrombus, valve injury, arrhythmia |
| VA-ECMO | Percutaneous | Left, right, or both | No | 10 | Yes | Centrifugal | Femoral artery, femoral vein, internal jugular vein, or central cannulation | Extracorporeal | No | Yes | Approved for 6hrs | Yes, with portable ECMO devices | No | AI, aortic dissection, LV thrombus, severe PVD | Vascular injury, limb ischemia, stroke, intracranial hemorrhage |
| Centri-Mag VAD | Surgical | Left, right, or both | Yes | 10 | Yes- with oxygenator | Centrifugal | Left ventricle/Right superior pulmonary vein, Aorta | Extracorporeal | No | Yes | Weeks to months | Yes | No | AI, aortic dissection, LV thrombus, severe coagulopathy | Bleeding, thrombus, infection, stroke |
| Tandem Heart pVAD | Percutaneous | Left | Yes | 5 | No | Centrifugal | Femoral artery and vein, requires transseptal puncture | Femoral artery | No | Yes | Approved for upto 6 hours | No | No | AI, PVD, known atrial thrombus | Vascular injury, limb ischemia, stroke, intracranial hemorrhage |
| Tandem Heart Protek Duo | Percutaneous | Right | No | 4.5 | Yes- with addition of oxygenator | Centrifugal | Internal jugular vein | Right atrium to pulmonary artery | No | Yes | Approved for 6 days, used weeks to months | Yes, if internal jugular access | No | Severe PVD, severe pulmonary hypertension | Bleeding, vascular complications, thrombus, hemolysis |
| Syncardia TAH | Surgical | Both (total heart replacement) | Not applicable, device replaces both ventricles | 7-9 | No | Pneumatic | Device directly attached to atria | Fully implantable | No | Yes | Months to years | Yes | Yes | Severe systemic illness, coagulopathy, inadequate body size | Stroke, infection, thromboembolism, device malfunction |
- Citation: Sunil Kumar S, Arvind S, Nagraj S, Maliha M, Pargaonkar S, Satish V, Kaushik S, Chi KY, Diakos N, Villela MA. Impact of the United Network for Organ Sharing allocation criteria changes on temporary mechanical circulatory support use as a bridge to transplant. World J Transplant 2025; 15(4): 108226
- URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/2220-3230/full/v15/i4/108226.htm
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5500/wjt.v15.i4.108226